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What is the best way to transfer 800,000 baht from the UK for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Non-O Retirement VisaTransfer MethodsInternational Bank TransfersWiseSWIFTXE ExchangeRemitlyUK Bank TransferVisa RequirementsThai Banking System
Aug 3, 2025
a day ago
Mahmood ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, what is the best way of transferring the equivalent of 800,000 bahts from my uk bank account for the none O retirement visa.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To transfer 800,000 baht from a UK bank account for the Non-O retirement visa in Thailand, you can choose from various methods. Options include keeping the funds in your UK account and getting certification from your embassy, using services like Wise or Remitly for lower fees and better exchange rates, or performing a SWIFT transfer directly to your Thai bank. Using Wise is often recommended for its cost-effectiveness, while SWIFT transfers may be more secure for large amounts, but could incur higher fees. It’s also essential to be aware of visa requirements regarding bank statements and financial proof.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Terry **********
Use WISE, but there are limits depending upon the receiving bank.
5 hours ago
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Kevin *******
Mahmood. if you have an HSBC acct extens the acct ans

Get a HSBC Global acct Its the easiest way
a day ago
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Max *************
For the first 800k transfer to a Thai bank and you want it to show up as international/foreign without a doubt, go for a swift bank to bank transfer. After that, you can use for example Wise for future transfers.
a day ago
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Mark ********
When I visited immigration to extend my Non-O visa, they required an official account balance statement printed by my Thai bank and it had to be dated the exact same day as the visit to immigration. I couldn't do that if my money was not in a Thai bank
a day ago
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Bili *******
"Wise" keep it in your Wise account in Baht...easy to convert and you have control over it
a day ago
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Michael ********
Swift transfer...cost me £15 with Nationwide
a day ago
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Gerg **********
For small amounts I use the Wise or Remitly app. For amounts like 800,000 baht, I do a wire transfer from my home bank to my Thai bank using my Thai bank’s SWIFT code.
a day ago
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Kim **********
@Gerg *********
 my bank gave a horrifically low exchange rate and I suffered through a 30 min phone call being asked the same questions over and over about whether I was sure it wasn’t a scam
a day ago
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Gerg **********
@Kim *********
 Some banks are very wary of international transfers. I have Navy Federal Credit Union and had no problem doing a wire transfer. I guess individual experiences will differ.
a day ago
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Kim **********
@Gerg *********
 yeah this was chase.
a day ago
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Kim **********
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Anna *********
Swift is easy and safe
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Anna ********
 and much, much more expensive. Only use Swift if you hate your own money
a day ago
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Anna *********
@Todd ********
 not always Obviously in your experience but that’s not every one’s
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Anna ********
 only the people who bother to verify would share my experience.

It’s your money. Lose it as you wish
a day ago
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Todd *********
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Alexander *******
Xe exchange no question
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Alexander ******
 always more expensive than wise, but efficient
a day ago
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Simon *******
@Alexander ******
 watch their exchange rate ,6 months ago I transferred 20,000bht using Xe it would have cost me £70 more than wise because of the exchange rate Xe was giving
a day ago
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Simon *******
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Luc ************
Wise
a day ago
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Greg ***********
Mahmood Fatemi . . use WISE for the transfer, they will get you a very good exchange rate. ATTENTION: chose as reason for the transfer "funds for longstay in Thailand", then it will be coded as having come from abroad
a day ago
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Mahmood ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
 thank you 🙏
a day ago
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Mahmood ********
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Bjørn *********
In a suitcase.. Remember the Ronald Reagan mask..
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Bjørn ********
 not really helpful. Scroll on or better, leave this group
a day ago
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Bjørn *********
If you ask on the net how to transfer money you need to be reminded that your bank is where u get real answers.. Asking stupid questions on groups like this often gets stupid answers…
a day ago
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Anthony ********
@Bjørn ********
 I totally agree… cash is king …. Bring as much cash as you can… then no exchange rates , no fees … and change your money when the exchange rates are up ….
a day ago
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Doug ********
@Anthony *******
no exchange rates...then you say change when exchange rates are up.......what if you arrive and the exchange date is bad...you still need money lol
a day ago
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Anthony ********
@Doug *******
 I took the plunge on my last visit …. 44.5b to £1….. so I changed £1000 . So when I come back ( October) I’ll have money on me and just hope the exchange rates are lower than 44.5…. If they are happy days …. If not than dam it …
a day ago
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Anthony ********
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Todd *********
Wise is the easy, low cost answer
a day ago
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Alex *******
@To**
 but it doesn't give the best rates when it comes to large transfers. Western Union gives the most when transferring anything over about 120,000 baht. But Wise is always better on smaller amounts
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Alex ******
 I usually (not always) check with WU and they have done a LOT recently to improve their rates. If they are beating Wise now, great. I have yet to see it though for CAD, MXN or PHP transfers
a day ago
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Todd *********
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Andrew ********
Keep it in your UK bank you can do that. For DTV and retirement visa you dont have to have it in a thai bank. Just have to get your state office / embassy to certify it with statements.

Also for retirement visa you can also just verify monthly income of
*****
baht or a combination of the two

If you wish it in a thai bank and you have one in your name you can wire transfer it from bank to bank will be fees.

Money being in a thai bank just means less steps

I would also look into the tax law with thailand and make sure the money you move over into savings also doesnt trigger tax payment at the end of year
a day ago
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Terry **********
@Andrew *******
 the monthly income method is 65'000Baht and to be shown as a monthly internal transfer. The combination method doesn't necessarily work at all Immigration Offices (IO). It cannot be used at my local IO.
5 hours ago
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Pete *******
@Andrew *******
 just about everything you stated is false. Uk does not issue income affidavits. The monthly requirement is 65k not 75k. He will require 800k in a Thai bank account for his 1st yearly extension of stay and lastly moving savings are not taxed.
a day ago
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Anna *********
@Andrew *******
 how wrong can you be. No wonder people get confused

For extension based on retirement you need funds in a Thai bank. Certification letters are only still available from very few places.

And monthly transfers of
*****
thb can only be used after the first full year of 800k thb being in a Thai bank

The Op didn’t ask about DTV or tax so why even mention them
a day ago
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Wannikea *********
@Andrew *******
 UK doesn't do income verification letters. The money will need to be transferred for an extension. The OP said a Non Imm O, nothing to do with DTV.
a day ago
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Kieran *******
@Andrew *******
 eh?
a day ago
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Will ************
@Andrew *******
 Uk Enbassy does not certify income
a day ago
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Tim **********
@Will ***********
 I don’t think the US does either

Which makes things far more difficult
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Will ***********
 yes that is the down side some dont that is why the retirement visa says "and or"
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
 and that's why a Brits needs to transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB onto his Thai bank account, in order to be able to apply for the first "1-year Extension of the Stay Permit". He doesn't have the option to the "or"
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Greg **********
 so I have a question on things like a DTV and there is a savings requirement there and a UK citizen has never been to thailand how then does one supply proof of savings account with no thai bank account if UK government doesnt verify savings / income
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
 if he enters on a Non-Imm-O Visa, he has enough time to get the 800,000 THB transferred and get it "seasoned" for 2 months, so he can apply for the "1-year Extension". Opening a Thai bank account and transferring the money sets him back about one week, or two at the max
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
 for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement visa, the equivalent of 800,000 Thai Baht can be on a home country bank account (you need to prove it with bank statements over three months). Only for the application to the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit, the money must be in a Thai bank account (seasoned for two months on the day of the application)
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
 the threadstarter asks how to transfer 800,000 THB to his Thai bank account. So I suppose he entered Thailand on a Non-Imm-O Retirement visa and got a Thai bank account opened on this visa, which is definitely possible even after the many changes since February 2025. . . . NOTE: You cannot get a bank account opened on a DTV, because it is a "tourist" visa - this is a whole different story
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Greg **********
 my comment was aimed to save money do you have any idea how much fees would be associated with moving that kind of money ? And exchange fees ?
a day ago
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Thomas *******
@Andrew *******
 815,000 baht costs $176 USD in fees if you use Wise to transfer the money.
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Thomas ******
 *** if you send 26,000 U.S.Dollar with WISE, the recipient gets 839,490 THB

*** if you exchange cash 26,000 U.S. Dollar at Superrich, the todays rate for 50-100 Dollar notes is 32.48 : 1 Baht.

You will receive 844,480 THB

The difference between a cash exchange and WISE is 4,989.23 Thai Baht, which is 153,609 U.S. Dollar
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
 there is only a small difference in bringing in 26,000 USD in cash, which you have to declare to Thai Customs at the airport, and exchange it at a SuperRich or SiamExchange exchange office, compared to transferring it using WISE. We are talking about a difference of 2500 to 3500 Baht
a day ago
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Greg ***********
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Wayne ********
@Andrew *******
 is this same as getting married and having
*****
0 baht in bank or does it need to be in thai bank
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Wayne *******
 home country bank or thai bank doesnt matter, a thai bank is just less steps
a day ago
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Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
 not correct ☑️
a day ago
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Wayne ********
@Andrew *******
 thanks
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Wayne *******
 thailand is also making changes to income being moved into thailand i would also consult with a tax lawyer in thailand to make sure the money moved into savings isnt taxable either 🤔
a day ago
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Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
 Money transferred to Thailand for the extension is already taxed and not a subject to tax in Thailand.
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Jan *****************
 again tax laws have changed if its not covered under DTA with thailand it is taxable. Some countries DTA are limited im just saying to look that up with your home country.

For example US to Thailand DTA only covered benifits from the federal government. Private sector retirements are not protected fully, and remote working income is taxed at certain brackets or earnings per year.

Simply saying to confirm this with your countries embassy every country is different
a day ago
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Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
 Yes, you are subjekt to tax after 180 days in Thailand, but funds you’ve already earned, taxed and saved in a bank at home is not subjekt to tax because they are transferred to Thailand for extension as income for the first year would be.
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Jan *****************
 ok, as for me im not taxed ever unless I make income in thailand. My full retirement from the US isnt taxed here nor is it taxed in the US everyone's situation is different why I point this out. Then again I dont have an account here and I cant get one so all I have is cash.

I have to upgrade visa before I can get one. Im too young for retirement visa so every month i pull cash or use moreta pay for bills
a day ago
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Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
 Ok, I understand each country has their own individual tax agreement with Thailand and the most common with Europe is that you’re considered as a tax resident if you stay for more than 180 days each year in Thailand. Then your tax will be shared between your homecountry and Thailand.
a day ago
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Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
 Unless your embassy offers to provide you a affidavit letter to confirm your income, there’s no legal way around banking 800K in a Thai bank account for your first one year stay in Thailand.

For the initial 90 days Non O visa you can use your bank account at home.
a day ago
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Anthony ********
@Jan *****************
 totally agree … get you non o ( retirement visa ) in your home country.., makes everything so much easier
a day ago
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Anthony ********
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Michael *******
@Wayne *******
 ive just got married to thai. In thai bank! 👍
a day ago
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Michael *******
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